Humanities
The aim of our Humanities curriculum is to build the knowledge, skills and attitudes pupils need to become informed, articulate and empowered. Through the teaching of History and Geography, we inspire our pupils’ curiosity about the world and the people within it. Children are encouraged to question, to reflect and to think critically. As they move through each phase, children are encouraged to make connections and develop perspective and judgement.
At Pelham, we teach History and Geography through cross - curricular topics.Transferable skills such as critical curiosity and reasoning are developed through opportunities for research and real life experiences.Trips enrich learning and provide a chance for children to learn practical skills such as mapping, fieldwork or examination of primary sources.
The content of the History and Geography knowledge curriculum is guided by the National Curriculum requirements. Periods of history are organised across the school to provide a growing understanding of chronology and links across time and place.
In History, we want all pupils to:
- have fun whilst developing an interest in and love of history
- be able to raise questions and think critically about past events
- develop a sense of time and chronology
- have an awareness of how past events and key figures have shaped the world; cause and consequence.
- appreciate diversity within periods studied
We will do this by:
- organising visits and trips that inspire pupils and allow them to see artefacts and hear different accounts in familiar localities.
- utilising opportunities outside the classroom including home learning to enrich experience
- planning age appropriate topics that ensure continuity and progression across the key stages
- delivering planned and differentiated lessons, taught with a clear history objective
- ensuring that children are exposed to and master language that allows them to express their understanding
- allowing children to communicate their understanding in a variety of ways including writing, presentation, art and drama
- choosing a diverse range of interesting, relevant sources and texts that allow children to question, analyse origin, accuracy and reliability
- teaching children how to research topics independently using a variety of sources
- developing a method of assessing and recording skills progression so that we can extend learning and meet the range of needs within the classroom.
In Geography, we want all pupils to:
- be curious and fascinated about the world and its people around us.
- develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world and their place and responsibilities within it.
- be able to use and understand geographical language and vocabulary that is age appropriate and evolves and develops from EYFS to KS2.
- be aware and understand topical Geographical issues.
- understand the difference between human and physical geography and how they interlink.
- use and interpret a wide range of geographical information, including, maps, aerial photographs and atlases.
- develop their fieldwork and observational skills.
- know the location of the world’s continents, countries, cities, seas and oceans.
- develop knowledge and skills that are progressive as well as transferable to other curriculum areas, e.g maths for example.
- develop their spiritual, moral, social and cultural skills to aid them to have a greater understanding of their rights and responsibilities to other people and their environment.
We will do this by:
- planning trips to bring learning to life and provide opportunities to practise skills, for example using compasses.
- promote children’s interest and understanding about diverse places, people, resources and environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earths key human and physical processes.
- teaching children how to research topics independently using a variety of sources.
- developing a method of assessing and recording skills progression so that we can extend learning and meet the range of needs within the classroom.
- encouraging children’s curiosity of the world and people around them.
- utilising opportunities outside the classroom including home learning to enrich experience.
- providing a range of resources to assist children’s learning, e.g globes, compasses etc.
- bringing learning into a real – life context, e.g. talking about Geography in the news.
Curriculum Guidance
Click on the link below for an overview of the history and geography topics taught across each year group, throughout the year.
A Historian at Pelham - Skills progression through the year groups
A Geographer at Pelham - Skills progression through the year groups
For a detailed description of the topics taught in each key stage, click on the subject to download the National Curriculum for either History and Geography.